Ladle



Oct. 3, 1933.

W. DE FRIES LADLE Filed Aug. 25, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Oct. 3, 1933.

w. DE FRIES LADLE Filed Aug. 25, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR w. DE FRIES Oct. 3, 1933.

LADLE 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 25, 1931 INVENTOR W. DE FRIES Oct. 3, 1933.

LADLE' Filed Aug. 25, 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 lllllll II INVENTOR f. ."El li Oct. 3, 1933.

w. DE FRIES 1,928,813

LADLB Filed Aug. 25. 1931 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Oct. 3, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- LADLE Application August 25, 1931. Serial No. 559,188

6 Claims. (Cl. 266-39) The present invention relates broadly to the art of material handling, and more particularly to structures suitable for the handling in relatively large quantities of materials having flow characteristics, such for example as molten metal and the like. Where such structures are utilized in the manner indicated, they are customarily referred to as ladles, and may either be of the type adapted to be permanently secured to a supporting truck 10 or other carrier, or of the type adapted to be demountably supported on such a truck or carrier so as to permit removal at will by the use of a crane or other device.

In all such structures, there are certain requirements which must be satisfactorily met, and the success of a given ladle depends largely, if not entirely, upon the degree of success obtained in meeting such requirements in a compact, conveniently operable container which occupies a minimum amount of room.

In the case, for example, of hot metal cars, the width of the ladle is limited by the customary railroad clearances. In like manner the height must be within the usual prevailing limitations. It has heretofore been proposed, as shown for example in the patent to Nelson and Reilly 1,438,661, to construct hot metal cars for the general purpose herein contemplated by providing a body portion corresponding generally to the shape of a substantially complete ellipsoid of revolution, with trunnions on the longitudinal center line of the ladle. Such a ladle presents a curved surface or confining wall in every direction, thus giving highly desirable conditions from the standpoint of strength, with a large capacity for the over-all dimensions of the ladle. The location of the trunnions has, however, necessarily been limited substantially to the position indicated with such structure, and when so disposed they have con stituted a suspending or supporting means, the axis of which substantially coincides with the center of gravity of the ladle when filled. As a result, the fllled ladle can only be handled with extreme care, if the possibility of overturning is to be reduced to a minimum. The same general disadvantages are attributable to modified forms of ladles such, for example, as that disclosed in the Pugh Patent 1,251,282, wherein the central portion of the ladle is of substantially cylindrical contour with the surface generally conforming to that which would be generated by the movement of a straight line around the longitudinal axis of the ladle while maintaining it parallel thereto and a substantially constant distance therefrom.

Such ladles are further characterized by a metal holding cavity which is of rapidly decreasing cross sectional area in any horizontal longitudinal section displaced from the median longitudinal plane of the container. They thus do not aflord a maximum holding capacity for the height and 0 width which they have, although they are extremely desirable from the standpoint of affording closed top carriers wherein the heat radiation and consequent freezing or skulling tendency of the metal may be kept to a minimum.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved ladle construction characterized by a greater carrying capacity for a given height and width and permitting the location of the supporting or suspending means in such manner that it will always lie in a plane above the center of gravity of the ladle, filled or empty, under any operating conditions.

Another object of the invention is'to provide a ladle characterized by a substantially constant cross sectional area in successive longitudinal planes taken above or below the supporting axis. Such a construction permits what may be termed the intermediate portion of the ladle to be increased or decreased in its vertical dimension to 0 change the capacity of the ladle without interfering with its characteristic operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a ladle possessing desirable features of the character referred to, and adapting itself either to a truly circular intermediate portion with straight side walls, or to a cylindrical intermediate portion with straight side walls and generally in the form of an oval or ellipsoid. In this connection the word cylindrical is herein utilized in the specification and claims as defining any surface generated by a straight line moved about a given axis irrespective of variations in the distance between said line and said axis.

A still further object of the invention. is to obtain the advantageous features of construction referred to in a ladle of the closed type, or one in which the area of metal exposed to radiation is at all times lreptat a minimum, thereby enabling the metal to be transported with a minimum heat loss.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration only, certain preferred embodiments of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a ladle constructed in accordance with the present invention, the ladle being shown in position on a car;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the construction illustrated in Figure 1: V

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the left hand end of the structure as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a similar view of the right hand end of the structure as shown in Figure 1, with certain of the parts broken away; I

Figure 5 is a view partly in top plan, and partly broken away, of the ladle per se;

Figin'e 6 is a similar view in side elevation of the ladle per se;

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view through the central portion of the ladle, illustrating diagrammatically the center of gravity line as the ladle moves to successive pouring positions as indicated;

Figure 8 is an end elevational view of the ladle of Figurest and 6; and

Figure 9 is a similar view illustrating a modified ladle structure and mounting.

The ladle illustrated in the accompanying drawings is of the type commonly referred to as a short pour, closed top, mixer ladle. It is to be borne in mind that the closed top gives advantages of the character referred to, and that the short pour maintains the line of pour substantially constant during the pouring or dumping operation, thus enabling the contents of the ladle to be discharged into a receptacle having a minimum receiving opening.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly Figures 1 and 2, there is illustrated a car 2 including spaced end trucks 3 and end frames 4 between which extend longitudinal side sills 5. The end frames are of suitable construction, as illustrated more particularly in Figure 4, to receive horizontally extending racks 6 adapted to mesh with the teeth on gear segments 7 secured to the ladle trunnions 8 in concentric relationship thereto. Disposed on opposite sides of the trunnion axis, in one of the end frames 5 is a pair of worms or screws 9 adapted to be rotated in one direction or the other by a motor 10 and thus, through the connections 11, turn the gear segments about the trunnion axes and rotate the ladle 12 to which the trunnions are secured.

The ladle comprises a curved intermediate portion 14 having substantially straight side walls 15 on which the trunnions 8 are secured. As will be clearly apparent from Figure 6 of the drawings, the trunnions are mounted appreciably above the median horizontally disposed longitudinal plane of the ladle, and thus appreciably above the center of gravity of the ladle when filled or empty.

The bottom 16 of the ladle is preferably curved both in longitudinal and transverse section, while the upper portion of the ladle is closed by a top or cover 17. The ladle structure itself comprises a metallic shell 18, suitably reinforced and lined with a refractory lining 19 to protect the metal from the action of the ladle contents.

As will be apparent more particularly from Figure 7 of the drawings, the top or cover 17 is formed on opposite sides thereof with pouring spouts 20, the side walls 21 forming the outside of the pouring spouts, and terminating in the pouring lips 22 being substantially straight and constituting a continuation of the intermediate portion 15 of the ladle. If desired, the pouring spouts 20 may be closed by hingedly mounted covers 23, thus completely protecting the contents of the laddle from free radiation. It will be noted that the top or cover 17 provides an arched enclosure above the metal level line.

This arched enclosure serves however merely as a shield against radiation losses. It does not serve to provide additional holding capacity, as is apparent from the hot metal line shown in Fig. 7. In this way, I maintain uniform the relation of enclosed area to surrounding circumference of the shell up to the normal hot metal line and avoid entirely any contracted metal holding sections particularly at the top of the ladle.

In Figure '1 of the drawings the reference letter T represents the center line/of the trunnions with the ladle in its full line position, the normal hot metal line being indicated in this figure. At this time, the center of gravity will be at the point (3. As the ladle is rocked to its chain line position of this figure, thus bringing the pouring lip 22 at the left of the figure into the successive positions indicated, the center of gravity will move along the line L. From this figure it will be apparent that during all normal operating conditions of the ladle, the center of gravity is materially below the point of support or point of suspension of the ladle so that any tendency toward overturning is eifectively counteracted, thus contributing to the safe handling of the ladle particularly in connection with an overhead crane.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 8, both inclusive, the intermediate portion of the ladle is shown not only as being cylindrical, but as being substantially oval. For smaller capacities, however, it will be apparent that this intermediate portion may be made truly cylindrical without departing from the spirit of my invention.

In Figure 9 there is illustrated a slightly modifled form of the invention as applicable to a demountable mixer type ladle having spaced trunnions 25 on opposite sides of the center line of the ladle and normally supported in trunnion bearings 26. Above the trunnions 25 are tilting trunnions 27 adapted during the tilting operation to come into engagement with trunnion bearings 28, thus causing the ladle 30 to move successively into the positions indicated in chain lines in Figure 9. During this tilting operation.

port will extend through the axes of these trunnions, and thus be appreciably above the point g thus affording safety of the character referred to.

If it is desired to increase the capacity of a ladle constructed in accordance with the present invention, this may be accomplished either by elongating the ladle, i. e., increasing its departure from a truly circular structure, or by increasing thevertical dimension of the straight sided intermediate portion 15 within the prevailing limitations as to ladle height. In all cases, however, the plane or point of support or suspension of the ladle will be above the center of gravity under any operating conditions. With demountable ladles of the type shown in Figure 9, it will be understood that trunnions 31 are customarily provided for the attachment of crane hooks or the like, and affording a trunnion axis T.

With all forms of my invention the area of the ladle in any longitudinal horizontal plane through the intermediate portion 15 is substantially constant, thus affording a maximum capacity. The normal but metal line, as indicated at Figure 7 is below the cover 17 and thus normally out of the spouts 20. In this manner the freezing of the metal to the spout lining, or skulling thereof, such as takes place in ladle structures providing spouts so disposed that the metal normally stands therein, is obviated. The advantages in this connection may be obtained by providing the spouts entirely within the cover and by utilizing either a slightly curved or arched cover as shown in the drawings, or a truly fiat cover structure depending upon the pleasure of the designer and the characteristics of the bricks or other refractory available for lining of the roof or cover.

In all of the figures of the drawings with the exception of Figure 9, the refractory lining 19 within the outer metallic shell is illustrated as comprising a molded lining. In Figure 9 it is shown as comprising a plurality of specially shaped sections assembled as required. This figure illustrates a lining more particularlyin. accordance with my invention as comprising a special skew back brick 30 carried by a circumferentially extending angle or flange 32. The refractory side walls are subjected to the greatest deterioration, and are thus not desirable as a direct supporting means for the roof. By the use of an angle as shown herein, however, the angle carries the weight of the roof and prevents any cave in even though the walls themselves do deteriorate. This figure also illustrates special spout bricks 33 removable and renewable at will, with each such brick specially reinforced by a flange 34.

By keeping the side portions 21, which terminate in the pouring lips 22, substantially straight, as is the case when they constitute a continuation of the straight sided intermediate portion, a constant maximum width for the ladle is insured, and the pouring spouts are disposed within the ladle area. By reference to the chain lines in Figure '7 representing the movement of the pouring spout, it will be apparent that the pouring lip moves outwardly and then inwardly a minimum distance during the tilting operation,.

thus maintaining a substantially constant line of pour. The location of the pouring spouts on opposite sides of the center line of the ladle contributes to this feature and also insures complete emptying of the ladle upon tilting movement through a minimum arc, as distinguished from a single pouring spout such as sometimes provided in so-called open top ladles such as illustrated for example in the patent to Kling, 1,535,482 of April 28, 1925.

My improved ladle' construction provides a crown or arched roof, which is closed at the uppermost portion thereof. to avoid a chimney effect, which induces air circulation and cooling by convection where there is a central opening in this uppermost portion. The chilling of the metal within the ladle due to such convection currents is avoided by providing a pair of pouring spouts situated in the lowest portion of the roof arch and adjacent to the side walls of the ladle. The elimination of a back-bent fiow line (which would result were the pouring lip to be at an angle to the side wall of the ladle) makes it impossible for metal to be pocketed and retained when the ladle is tilted through less than 180 for discharge. The chipping of frozen metal from such pockets is an arduous task; and by arranging the pair of pouring spouts in the manner specified this difficulty is eliminated, and in cidentally the wide swing of the pouring lip is materially reduced. By the reduction in the are substantially straight side walls, a curved bottom through which the pouring lip travels, a smaller receptacle can be utilized and less expert manipulation isrequisite, thus increasing safety-in the handling of hot metal.

From the foregoing specification it will be apparent that a ladle constructed in accordance with the present invention gives desirable characteristics from the standpoint of compactness, capacity, ease and safety of handling, while insuring a minimum heat radiation, freedom from skulling or freezing in the spouts, and permitting complete emptying upon moving through a mini mum arc and while maintaining a substantially straight line pour.

While I have herein illustrated and described certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that changesin the construction and operation disclosed therein may be made without departing either from the spirit of the invention or the scope of my broader claims.

I claim:

1. A ladle, comprising an enclosed body including a curved intermediate portion having portion, and an enclosing roof having pouring spouts located therein adjacent opposite sides of the ladle, the sides of the ladle extending substantially vertically from said straight side walls in substantially the plane thereof to form pouring lips for said spouts.

2. A ladle, comprising an enclosed body including a substantially cylindrical intermediate portion having substantially straight side walls, the side walls being extended vertically on opposite sides of the ladle in substantially the plane of said side walls to form pouring lips, a curved bottom portion, and an enclosing roof carried by said substantially straight side. walls and having pouring spouts formed therein substantially above the normal hot metal line of the ladle.

3. A ladle, comprising an enclosed body including a substantially'cylindrical intermediate portion having substantially straight side walls, the sidewalls being extended vertically on opposite 20 sides of the ladle in substantially the plane of said sidewalls to form pouring lips, a curved bottom portion, and an enclosing roof carried by said substantially straight side walls and having pouring spouts formed therein substantially above the normal hot metal line of the ladle, said ladle having lifting means formed thereon above the center of gravity of the ladle.

4. A ladle, comprising an enclosed body including a substantially cylindrical intermediate portion having substantially straight side walls, the side walls being extended vertically on opposite sides of the ladle in substantially the plane of said side walls to form pouring lips, a curved bottom portion, and an enclosing roof carried by said substantially straight side walls and having pouring spouts formed therein substantially above the normal hot metal line of the ladle, said ladle having lifting means formed thereon above the center of gravity of the ladle, with the lifting means secured to said substantially straight side walls.

5. A ladle, comprising an enclosed body including a cylindrical intermediate portion having substantially straight side walls, a curved bottom portion, an enclosing roof, and trunnions carried by said substantially straight side walls above the center of gravity of the ladle, said intermediate portion providing a substantially constant cross sectional area in horizontal planes above and below the plane of the trunnion axes, there being stant cross sectional area in horizontal planes above and below the plane of the trunnion axes, there being separate pouring spouts formed in said rooi' adjacent opposite sides of the ladle and above the normal'hot metal line oi. the ladle, the sides of the ladle extending from said straight side walls in substantially the plane thereof to form pouring lips for said spouts, and the root being cut out around said pouring lips to complete said spouts.

WALTER n: ms. 

